Having a child is one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but it is also often the most challenging, especially when you need to work from home without childcare. Working from home requires more than a custom Zoom background template; it requires tremendous focus, patience, and quiet. Any parent knows that demanding silence with little ones is an impossibility.
Still, how can you limit distractions, get work done, and still be the best mom or dad in the world? The good news, you can parent and work from home. However, you need to understand that it will require sacrifice and being easier on yourself.
How To Meet Your Employer’s Expectations
When working from a Zoom virtual office you need to treat the room with your laptop or desktop computer as your office. The office is off-limits to interruptions until scheduled breaks. Unfortunately, as a parent working from home, you may not be able to stick to hard-set rules. If you have an infant or toddler, they may not understand the rules. Additionally, younger children tend to need greater supervision. Therefore, you will need to come to some understanding with your employer.
Most employers understand the demands and needs of children and families. If you can prove to your employer that you can still manage your workload and turn in consistent and quality work, they will most likely be open to you having to care for your child during the workday. Additionally, if you can still meet deadlines and other project goals, there will likely not be a problem. However, you may still need to arrange for childcare when there are meetings or schedule client calls.
Develop a Routine & Enlist Help
If you have an infant, you are likely familiar with their sleeping and feeding schedule. The best thing you can do is schedule your day around your child. Therefore, when you lay your baby down for a nap, take advantage of that time to have meetings or scheduled phone calls. Also, since you know when your baby eats, make sure you do not schedule anything during the feeding window. Additionally, make routines and schedules far in advance. If you know you have a meeting or important project deadline, you may be able to arrange for a babysitter.
While your child is the most important thing, you need to focus on your job as a priority as well. Therefore, you need to ensure you make arrangements that allow you to meet employee expectations, including learning how to set virtual background in teams and other technical applications.
Stay on the Same Page With Managers
Ultimately, when working from home without childcare, it is necessary to stay on the same page with management. You want to ensure that team leaders are informed about your potential absence, delay, or special requirements. That said, you need to also make concessions and ensure that your employer is not having to always account for your problems.
Are you ready to learn how to raise a baby while working from home? Contact a childcare specialist to determine the best routine for you.
